As someone who has been wearing nicotine patches every day for several years, the thought of the general population buying up my life source is terrifying. I now have a 400 day supply arriving tomorrow.
I think you're the first person I've encountered who desires to use nicotine patches indefinitely. Isn't the idea usually to gradually wean off of them instead of just continuing to use them forever?
Myself, I vaporise moderate amounts of nicotine. It is not part of my identity, it just got me off cigarettes. I have no plans to reduce or discontinue my usage at this time. A stable mental state and staying off cigarettes is more important right now.
Abstinence is a noble goal, but it is not always practical. In those cases, reducing the harm is desirable.